Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Insular Cortex Modulation by Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Concurrent Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Preliminary Findings.

Brain sciences·2025
Same author

Pelvic Pain Symptoms and Inflammation Among Adolescents and Adults with and Without Endometriosis.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025
Same author

Proof-of-concept for integrating multimodal digital health assessments into lifestyle interventions for older adults with dementia risk factors.

Journal of behavioral medicine·2025
Same author

A Mindfulness-Based Lifestyle Intervention for Dementia Risk Reduction: Protocol for the My Healthy Brain Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

JMIR research protocols·2024
Same author

Mindfulness-Based Interventions Targeting Modifiable Lifestyle Behaviors Associated With Brain Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

American journal of lifestyle medicine·2024
Same author

A Meta-Regression of psychosocial factors associated with sleep outcomes in mindfulness-based intervention trials.

Behavioral sleep medicine·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Real-time Video Projection in an MRI for Characterization of Neural Correlates Associated with Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain
11:29

Real-time Video Projection in an MRI for Characterization of Neural Correlates Associated with Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain

Published on: April 20, 2019

10.5K

Virtual Reality-Based Pain Modulation in Subacute Musculoskeletal Injury: Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study

Ryan Andrew Mace1,2,3, Ziyan Wu1,2,3, Christine B Sieberg1,2,3,4

  • 1Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, 1 Bowdoin Square Suite 100, Boston, MA, 02114, United States, 1 617-724-7030.

JMIR Serious Games
|March 30, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Virtual reality (VR) therapy shows promise for subacute orthopedic pain, improving patient outcomes and altering brain activity in pain-regulating regions. This neuroimaging study highlights VR

Keywords:
functional near-infrared spectroscopyimmersive virtual realitymindfulnessmusculoskeletal painpain managementprefrontal cortex

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Surgical Treatments for Postamputation Pain
03:26

Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Surgical Treatments for Postamputation Pain

Published on: March 8, 2024

3.8K
Author Spotlight: Insights into Remotely Supervised Neuromodulation Procedure for Phantom Limb Pain
06:13

Author Spotlight: Insights into Remotely Supervised Neuromodulation Procedure for Phantom Limb Pain

Published on: March 1, 2024

2.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Real-time Video Projection in an MRI for Characterization of Neural Correlates Associated with Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain
11:29

Real-time Video Projection in an MRI for Characterization of Neural Correlates Associated with Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain

Published on: April 20, 2019

10.5K
Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Surgical Treatments for Postamputation Pain
03:26

Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Surgical Treatments for Postamputation Pain

Published on: March 8, 2024

3.8K
Author Spotlight: Insights into Remotely Supervised Neuromodulation Procedure for Phantom Limb Pain
06:13

Author Spotlight: Insights into Remotely Supervised Neuromodulation Procedure for Phantom Limb Pain

Published on: March 1, 2024

2.0K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Orthopedics
  • Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

  • Acute traumatic musculoskeletal injuries can lead to persistent pain and disability.
  • Virtual reality (VR) offers a novel approach to address barriers in pain management and psychological risk factors.
  • Neural mechanisms of VR for subacute orthopedic pain require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and neural correlates of an 8-week home-based therapeutic VR intervention (RelieVRx).
  • To assess changes in prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation and coactivation using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
  • To evaluate the impact of VR on pain intensity, interference, catastrophizing, anxiety, mindfulness, coping, and self-efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • A pilot study involving 10 orthopedic patients with subacute (<2 months postinjury) musculoskeletal pain.
  • Participants underwent an 8-week home-based VR intervention (RelieVRx).
  • Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and behavioral assessments were conducted pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

  • The VR intervention demonstrated high feasibility (93% valid fNIRS recordings) and acceptability with no safety concerns.
  • Significant improvements were observed in all behavioral measures, including reduced pain intensity, interference, anxiety, and catastrophizing, alongside improved mindfulness, coping, and self-efficacy.
  • fNIRS revealed increased medial PFC activation and enhanced coactivation between medial and lateral PFC regions post-treatment, correlating with improved mindfulness and coping.

Conclusions:

  • Home-based VR therapy is feasible and acceptable for subacute orthopedic pain, supported by neuroimaging evidence.
  • VR intervention led to significant behavioral improvements and associated changes in PFC activity related to pain regulation.
  • These findings support VR as a scalable, mechanistically informed nonpharmacological treatment for post-orthopedic injury pain, warranting further investigation in larger trials.